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April 29, 2000
Loma Linda University Church Board, and Pastors:
I am writing at this time to request that my name be removed from all SDA denominational records. It has become impossible for me to wish to remain on your books because I am no longer a Seventh-day Adventist. I would like to explain that I am not disgruntled in any way. This decision has come about after many years of prayer that I would know my Savior personally.
In the 1980's I read Walter Rea's book The White Lie and it became obvious to me that Ellen White (EGW) was in fact a plagiarist. This left me feeling a little bewildered. However. I bought into the story that it was the White Estate, and the early church leaders who promoted EGW; she didn't promote herself. I was convinced that Adventism was the only religion that had the Sabbath, and that is what kept me in the church for the last 20 years. I was an active participant in my church; I raised my two children in the church and in the school system. However, I remained upset that the church continued to call EGW a prophetess.
University Church was easy to belong to; it is liberal compared to other SDA churches. If I didn't visit relatives in Northern California I could almost allow myself to believe that the church would change once my generation and my children's generation took control of the church.
About one year ago I watched the video Seventh-day Adventism: The Spirit Behind the Church. I wasn't impressed with the information about EGW; it wasn't new information to me. My sister who watched this with me stated, "If she is a false prophet, we are supposed to flee [from the SDA church]." Her comment made me think and I was also disturbed by the claim made in the video that EGW sanctioned the doctrines that kept me in the church. That started me on an intensive study of the Bible vs. SDA doctrine. The Bible states very clearly in Jeremiah 23:30-32 :
"I am against the prophets who steal from one another words supposedly from me. Yes," declares the Lord, "I am against the prophets who wag their own tongues and yet declare, 'The Lord declares.' Indeed I am against those who prophesy false dreams," declares the Lord. "They tell them and lead my people astray with their reckless lies, yet I did not send or appoint them. They do not benefit these people in the least," declares the Lord.
I concluded that if the Lord is against a plagiarizing prophet, His church couldn't come from EGW. By mid-summer I was shocked by all the support throughout the New Testament regarding the New Covenant and the fulfillment of the Old by Jesus death on the cross. I was amazed. I was sick. I went through the stages of grief:
- Denial - leading to more research
- Anger -that I had been so completely brainwashed that I couldn't even read the Bible for what it said
- Bargaining -But God, all my friends and family are there, I have so many wonderful memories. These are such good people.
- Depression -this was like a death of a very dear family member
- Acceptance -what I have found is the truth, I prayed for years for God to be a real part of my life. I sang songs to Him to open my eyes. He was there listening, waiting for the right time. It has finally come. PRAISE GOD!!!
- Hope -Hope that you [University Church] will study for yourselves. Hope that my son will remember that this is about God, not religions of man, Christianity is not lies. Hope that my parents, in-laws, and friends will study and find the truth.
I am thrilled that I finally allowed Him to remove the veil that was over my eyes (2 Corinthians 3:14-18). I have freedom in Jesus; the joy that comes from reading the Bible and knowing that it means what it says! I can't explain how wonderful and palpable it is.
Thank you for taking the time to read my reasons for leaving the denomination that was a part of my very being. Please do not think that I have anger, or hate toward any of you, I don't and I can't. Paul repeatedly explains in his writings that Jesus' commandment for us is to Love. As a Christian that is what I have for all of you.
Love,
Cora Holder
More by Cora Holder: Dumping the bath water
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CORA HOLDER
